To keep them motivated and not breaking to pee and sniff - it helps to have a good trained lead dog to keep things rolling but barring that it is pretty much like leash training. After donning the harness and attach your line set the dog in front of you and have him stay out in front - you can have him stand, sit, lie down as long as he stays out in front- this can be a little challeging if you have a dog that wants to sit in front and maintain eye contact - just insist he stay out front. Give whatever command you are going to use to move ahead - "ahead" "hike" "lets go" your choice and snap the line a bit and keep some tension on the line as the dog moves forward.
You aren't using a bike or anything at this time just you, the harnessed dog and the line. Keep the dog moving forward and if it attempts to turn around, stop,sniff, pee etc give the line a bit of a snap and repeat your forward command and praise for compliance. Most dogs catch on pretty quickly and enjoy it once they get the idea they are allowed to pull. If the dog stops or seems bothered by the pull on the harness, try using a hollow webbing with a bungee inserted inside to
keep the dog from feeling the sudden stop. Start training on a trail or road that is well defined and hard to go off course. If you have a dog that is reluctant to go ahead try and have someone ride or run ahead as most dogs will have a bit of chase instinct. When you stop, or slow down give an easy or whoa command and come to a stop and insist that the dog stay out front and hold out the line. To start out just work on going ahead, stopping and holding the line out - you can build on skills after this is down pat and add a bike or scooter to the picture. Some dogs will catch on very fast and seem like real naturals and some dogs are kind of dense and take a bit of work- just be patient and persistent and remember to keep things fun. Next stop -
Alaska! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hey Tig,

You ever have a single dog pull you on roller blades or anything of the sort?

Tiggy,

You must have the kind of life most of us only ever dream about <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I know it must be very hard and very cold but I do admire you for what you do!!

One day perhaps - if I save my money!!!

Keep having fun.

Gwen

Kurze Haare,

We taught our Giant to pull a wagon that we use for therapy work with kids and in parades. It is also useful for hauling all of the stuff we need for the dogs when we go places. He has also pulled some kids around on roller blades and he dearly loved it.

I just checked and a good harness is around $55.00 for a nylon harness. The company I got ours from is Dog works . They also have carts and wagons for pulling and books and video for training the dogs for pulling, including Skijouring and carting/wagon pulling. I thought they used to have sleds too. but I couldn't find them on the web site.

Yes Dog Works is a good place to go for a carting harness as they specialize in carting, which is a good choice of pulling sport for dogs that have some obedience training as the emphasis is more on
control rather than speed as it is in sled mushing. You can get away a little cheaper with an X-back or freight sled harness with an X-back
costing around 20 dollars. For competition weight
pull harness fit is really important and custom fit is recommended. I've never tried the roller skate thing as our dogs are trained to hold the line tight and go fast and that lack of brakes thing.....Well, lets just say I am able to remove enough skin from my body using heavier training rigs! I think Dog Works still sells Saaco carts which look like a very nice way to run one or two dogs - they are pretty pricey but very nice and have a braking system and a good steering system. I have seen some pretty creative uses of wheeled objects used to run dogs - if it rolls it has probably been tried (with varying degrees of success and skin loss).
Most common now is the ATV which lets you train
small to large teams. I use an ATV with no engine and some added weight and can run from 6 to 10 dogs with it. For running one or two dogs on snow I have seen people use kicksleds with good success http://www.crossled.com. and there is always skijoring and pulkas for those that can remain upright on skiis(I have trouble with the upright part)
Gwen - there are some dedicated dog mushers in the UK with very good dog teams, maybe you can take up a new sport.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> caution, it is very addictive! Check out http://www.sleddogcentral and check out the kennel directory listings and you
should be able to find some UK mushers. Happy trails to all-Hike!

Wow, $55 for nylon harness, Richard and any others check this site. http://www.adanacsleds.com
they are here in montana, i had a padded custom made harness for a 120lb akita and including shiping it to me cost 17.00 the price are still pretty close to that. this was for skijoring and i also use for just plain hiking, works great hear in the mountains, dont have to work so hard climbing hills.

i own a 2 year old Malinois who is now learning to pull. in a cross back harness and a tyre. Start small and build. do it on grass not road if you want to increase larger weight. They love it. muscle up well.

If you're interested in something we do in our area - check out:

http://www.heelys.com

Our dogs LOVE it. And with a little ,I've found that this is the most fun for person and dog because you don't have to have any bulky equipment. No sled, no bike, no scooter. Just put on the shoe and you're ready.

Also .. you have the same control as you do if you're walking the dog.

I've been promoting the safe and responsible use of this. Posted on the topic at:

http://www.runandroll.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=755

I've also just posted a video (people have been asking to see this) at http://www.chautown.com
27 Meg .. but worth the download.

Its definitely something you won't see everyday.
David C